What happens when a company in a small community decides to go all-in on its people — and wins Employer of the Year doing it?

Sally Gibson, MD of Dawleys, didn't follow a textbook. She built a culture where employees nominate each other on a "WOW Board," where every single role has its own purpose and mission statement, and where leaders are measured not by how tightly they control — but by how freely they let go.

In this episode, Sally reveals the surprisingly simple practices behind Dawleys' award-winning culture: why hiring for attitude beats hiring for skills, how psychological safety turns average teams into exceptional ones, and the recognition programme that costs almost nothing but changed everything.

If you've ever wondered what it actually looks like when a business puts people genuinely first — not as a slogan, but as a strategy — this is the conversation you need to hear.

Keywords: Dawleys, Sally Gibson, leadership, employee engagement, workplace culture, awards, community responsibility, employee development, recognition programs, customer service

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Dawleys and Sally Gibson

02:29 Winning Awards and Recognition

05:06 Creating a Culture of Trust and Safety

07:31 The Importance of Development in Leadership

10:10 Leadership Philosophy and Personal Growth

12:40 Measuring Employee Happiness and Engagement

14:59 The WOW Board and Recognition Practices

17:43 Leadership Journey and Global Experiences

25:33 Recognizing Community Impact

29:35 Building a Supportive Workplace Culture

34:31 Developing Leadership Skills

44:56 The Importance of Clarity in Leadership

Summary

In this conversation, Dan Green discusses the importance of feedback in corporate culture, the concept of Radical Candor, and the essential qualities of great leadership. He emphasizes the need for trust and connection in leadership roles, the significance of giving and receiving feedback, and how military lessons can be applied to modern management practices. The discussion highlights the challenges many leaders face in providing effective feedback and the necessity of fostering a culture of appreciation and open communication.

Keywords

feedback, leadership, Radical Candor, corporate culture, appreciation, trust, management, communication, employee engagement, military leadership

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dan Green

02:14 Understanding the Feedback Crisis

11:16 The Concept of Radical Candor

17:41 Building a Feedback Culture

23:51 The Importance of Timing in Feedback

24:17 Defining Great Leadership

27:07 Sustainable Leadership vs. Short-Term Success

28:43 Engagement and Team Performance

29:42 Debunking Leadership Myths

32:45 Lessons from Military Leadership

37:49 Building Trust and Connection in Leadership

In this engaging conversation, Ben Morton, a leadership expert, discusses the intersection of AI and leadership. He shares insights on how AI is transforming leadership roles, the essential competencies of great leaders, and the ethical considerations leaders must keep in mind when using AI. The discussion emphasizes the importance of human connection, critical thinking, and the need for leaders to embrace AI as a tool for enhancing their effectiveness rather than replacing their roles. Ben also introduces his AI clone, BenAI, designed to support ongoing learning and development for leaders.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI and Leadership

05:45 Ben's Journey and Leadership Philosophy

19:12 AI's Impact on Leadership Competencies

26:37 The Risks of AI in Leadership

27:58 What Should Leaders Avoid Delegating to AI?

33:09 The Importance of Embracing AI as a Leader

39:16 Using AI to Enhance Curiosity and Decision-Making

40:08 Introducing BenAI: A Personal AI Clone for Leadership

42:37 The Core Truth of Leadership

Keywords

AI, leadership, Ben Morton, leadership competencies, AI in business, ethical leadership, critical thinking, management vs leadership, BenAI

Chapters

00:57 Exploring ‘Surrounded by Bad Bosses’

15:01 The Importance of Communication Styles

19:29 Leadership Dynamics and Trust

22:26 The Power of Admitting Uncertainty

25:27 Understanding Leadership and Management

29:30 The Role of Self-Awareness in Leadership

32:43 The Need for Purpose in Leadership

36:08 Cultural Expectations of Leadership

40:22 The Disconnect Between Expertise and Leadership

Summary

In this second part, the focus shifts to *Surrounded by Bad Bosses* and the everyday psychology of working with - and being - a boss. Thomas traces the path from his earlier books to a “two‑books‑in‑one” format that helps managers and employees understand each other’s realities. He argues most bad bosses aren’t malicious - they’re unaware - and makes the case that self‑awareness is the best predictor of leadership effectiveness because it unlocks people skills and clear communication. Using practical analogies (you need two points on the map to plan any journey), he explains why leaders must know their own pace and adapt up or down to meet others. The discussion covers trust, clarity, and accountability; why expertise doesn’t automatically translate into leadership; how to map a team’s colour mix to anticipate friction (Excel vs PowerPoint people); and why leaders must still lead - listening deeply without abdicating decisions. The hosts connect Thomas’s views to their 3 A’s (Awareness, Acceptance, Action), and the group explores creating conversations that seek causes over blame, so issues get solved rather than recycled.

Keywords

Thomas Erikson, Surrounded by Bad Bosses, leadership, management, trust, communication styles, team dynamics, self-awareness, purpose, clarity, servant leadership debate, mapping team styles, adaptation, psychological safety, expectations, accountability, expertise vs leadership

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Thomas Erikson and His Work

02:42 The Concept Behind 'Surrounded by Idiots'

07:36 Understanding Personality Colours and Their Impact

12:15 Cultural Differences and Commonalities in Human Behaviour

18:07 Finding the Right Work Environment for Your Personality

23:27 The Importance of Self-Awareness in Communication

29:19 Navigating Workplace Relationships and Communication Styles

35:31 Understanding Different Management Styles

39:13 The Importance of Clarity in Leadership

40:15 The Evolution of Thomas Erikson's Work

45:28 Connecting with Audiences Through Social Media

Summary

We kick off Season 2 with a barnstormer of a podcast! It was so big we had to split it into two sections! Today is part 1, where Swedish behaviourist and bestselling author Thomas Erikson introduces *Surrounded by Idiots* and the colour-based interpretation of the DISC model. He explains why the provocative title works as a mirror for our own communication blind spots and why most people are blends of colours rather than single types. The conversation explores universal patterns he’s observed worldwide - despite cultural differences - and practical ways to adapt when you don’t yet know someone’s style (“go green”: talk less, listen more, ask open questions). Thomas contrasts natural style vs work style, warns that long-term over‑adaptation - especially across opposite colours (e.g., red at work, green at home) - can lead to stress and burnout, and encourages people to seek environments where they can thrive. He and the hosts discuss labels vs helpful language, clarity vs endless meetings, and why communication - not process - causes most workplace friction. Thomas shares early-career lessons from being a “lousy boss,” underscores personal responsibility in conflicts, and previews the expanded edition of *Surrounded by Idiots* with added material on motivations/drivers and answers to the most frequent reader questions, refined for a wider audience.

Keywords

Thomas Erikson, Surrounded by Idiots, personality colours, DISC colours, communication, listening, cultural differences, behaviourism, self-awareness, interpersonal skills, workplace fit, burnout risk, mentoring, adaptation, Finnish culture, clarity, expanded edition

Join hosts Ken and Debra Corey for an eye-opening conversation with Grace Judson – a leadership coach, former Fortune 500 executive (25+ years at EMC, Munich Re, HP), and author of The Five Deadly Shoulds of Office Politics. Grace shares how embracing leadership humility and vulnerability can transform your leadership mindset and team culture.

We delve into building a coaching culture where managers coach rather than command, fostering psychological safety so even quiet voices are heard, and empowering your people without falling into common traps. Grace discusses her “three resistance monsters” framework for effective change management, revealing why communicating the “why” of change (not just the how) is critical to gaining buy-in – echoing Simon Sinek’s emphasis on purpose. She also tackles trust and empowerment: why trust is the foundation of any great team, how leaders can rebuild trust after missteps, and how true empowerment involves guidance and clarity (not just tossing people in the deep end). Grace candidly challenges conventional wisdom on office politics and the “deadly shoulds,” showing how to navigate workplace dynamics with authenticity and courage.

This episode is packed with real-life stories – from Ken’s own lesson in humility to wisdom from thought leaders like Alan Alda (on listening), Brené Brown (on vulnerability), and Grace Hopper (on leading vs managing). Grace even touches on her OHIMA 2024 keynote on the emotional, people-centric side of change leadership, underscoring the human heart of successful change.

Tune in for a masterclass on leading with empathy, clarity, and courage – perfect for senior HR professionals, seasoned executives, and anyone aspiring to lead positive change. Don’t forget to subscribe to Corey-osity Unleashed, leave a review, follow us on LinkedIn, and visit https://stepituphr.com/corey-osityunleashed for more insights and episodes.

Keywords:

#LeadershipHumility #CoachingCulture #PsychologicalSafety #ChangeManagement #LeadershipMindset #OfficePolitics #TeamDynamics #TrustAndEmpowerment #EmployeeEngagement #ChangeLeadership

In a world where workplace culture can make or break performance, Claude Silver is proving that heart-led leadership drives results. As the first-ever Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia – and a sought-after speaker on modern leadership – Claude has transformed traditional HR into a people-first experience. She’s now channeling her insights into an upcoming book, Be Yourself at Work, to help leaders build more authentic cultures. In this emotionally charged yet practical episode, Claude shares how infusing empathy, emotional intelligence, and genuine human connection into business can ignite engagement and boost the bottom line.

Claude’s Journey & Vision: We explore her unconventional rise to the C-suite and how she partnered with CEO Gary Vaynerchuk to build a vibrant, high-trust culture from the ground up. Claude discusses her philosophy of “bringing humanity to the workplace,” recounting powerful learning moments that shaped her approach. You’ll hear how she turned HR into a strategic People and Experience team, aligning talent development, employee well-being, and business outcomes.

Key Insights for HR Leaders: This conversation dives into the how-to for today’s future of work challenges – from hybrid work dynamics to strengthening engagement and inclusion. Claude breaks down why diversity and inclusion in hiring isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s smart business – and how creating a culture of belonging fuels innovation. We talk about building a coaching culture where continuous feedback and accountability accelerate growth. Claude emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and vulnerability in leadership, illustrating how emotional intelligence bridges cross-cultural gaps and drives employee engagement.

Whether you’re an HR director reimagining your company culture or a manager striving to elevate team performance, Claude’s stories and strategies will resonate. She shows that when leaders show up with empathy, authenticity, and intentional support, employees thrive – and businesses do too.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on your favorite platform and leave a review – your support helps more leaders find these insights.

🎧 Want more human-first leadership like this? Subscribe and listen to the full episode at StepItUpHR.com/Corey-osityUnleashed.

💡 Learn more about Claude’s approach at ClaudeSilver.com

👥 Connect with Claude on LinkedIn for daily leadership wisdom.

🚀 For behind-the-scenes extras, subscribe on [YouTube] and follow @StepItUpHR on LinkedIn.

Discovery Keywords/Hashtags:

#Leadership #FutureOfWork #EmployeeEngagement #CompanyCulture #EmotionalIntelligence #HR

Ready to build a culture that truly kicks ass and learn how not to suck at leadership?

In this bold, no-nonsense episode, former WD-40 Company CEO Garry Ridge – bestselling author of Any Dumbass Can Do It – shares his hard-won leadership lessons and infectious passion for creating an extraordinary workplace. Garry transformed WD-40 from a small business into a multi-billion-dollar powerhouse brand over 25 years, cultivating a culture where employees thrived, loved their work, and achieved extraordinary results. Under his people-centric leadership, WD-40’s market cap skyrocketed from $300 million to $3.6 billion, with employee engagement hitting an unheard-of 93% (compare that to a global average of ~31% – a crisis he calls “disgusting”). His secret? Embracing “learning moments” instead of failures and banishing fear from the workplace. This conversation is a masterclass in trust-based culture building, delivered with the humor, heart, and straight-talk you’d expect from the self-proclaimed “Dean of Dumbassery.” 😎

• The Power of Dumbassery: Why Garry proudly runs a “School of Dumbassery” on LinkedIn (and why you never graduate from it – because the learning never stops). Discover how embracing humility and continuous learning can be a leader’s superpower, turning mistakes into “learning moments” that drive growth and innovation.

• Managers ≠ Coaches: How WD-40 replaced managers with coaches to create a high-engagement coaching culture. Garry explains how simply changing that title from “boss” to “coach” (and backing it up with action) boosted trust and respect – 97% of employees said they respected their coach – because coaches focus on helping people win, not bossing them around. Learn how this shift increased psychological safety and performance across the organization.

• Trust, Values, and “Learning Moments”: The inside scoop on building a trust-based workplace culture where psychological safety is paramount. Garry shares how removing the word “failure” and calling them “learning moments” eliminated fear and encouraged people to speak up and take risks. He discusses fostering belonging and tribal mentality (“tribe members,” not employees) and leading with a compelling set of values that “protect people and set them free.”

• Leading with Heart (and a Backbone of Steel): Why servant leadership doesn’t mean being a pushover. Garry and the hosts explore the balance between being tough-minded and tender-hearted – having a “heart of gold and a backbone of steel,” as Garry puts it. He shares how values-based decisions and candid “caring confrontations” build trust over time, and why real leadership is “not a popularity contest, it’s a contact sport.”

• Creating Legend-Level Culture: How Garry’s approach aligns with insights from leadership icons and influencers. Hear references to Ken Blanchard (co-author of Helping People Win at Work), the no-BS wisdom of Marshall Goldsmith, and the research of Harvard’s Amy Edmondson on psychological safety. This episode is packed with real-talk examples and visionary advice to help HR leaders and executives stop sucking at leadership and start building a culture employees can’t stop raving about.

Listen now and join us on the journey to a culture that kicks ass! For more great insights and episodes, visit our podcast homepage:

• Podcast Homepage: https://stepituphr.com/corey-osityunleashed

• Any Dumbass Can Do It (Garry Ridge): https://amzn.to/YourAffiliateLink

• The Right Kind of Wrong (Amy Edmondson): https://amzn.to/RightKindOfWrong

• Helping People Win at Work (Ken Blanchard & Garry Ridge): https://amzn.to/HelpingPeopleWinAtWork

• What Got You Here Won’t Get You There (Marshall Goldsmith): https://amzn.to/WhatGotYouHere

• Garry Ridge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garryridge/

• School of Dumbassery (LinkedIn Group): https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14633002/

• Power of Dumbassery Quiz (The Learning Moment): https://www.thelearningmoment.net/quiz

In this episode of Corey-osity Unleashed, we journey from the cricket pitch to the boardroom with Roland Butcher – a man who knows how to break boundaries and build winning teams. As England’s first Black cricketer, Roland shattered a major barrier in sports history, and he’s just put his story to paper in his June 2025 autobiography Roland O. Butcher: Breaking Boundaries as England’s First Black Cricketer. Now an author, consultant, and speaker, Roland shares the leadership wisdom behind that trailblazing journey in a conversation brimming with passion and performance-driven insights.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Roland turned adversity (being told “you can’t do it”) into fuel for success – and how you can cultivate that same resilience in your team.

• Why burnout strikes even top performers and why addressing mental health is non-negotiable for sustained performance.

• The “learning moments” behind Roland’s coaching philosophy – from timing feedback for maximum impact to building trust across your team.

• How embracing a coaching culture and empowering individuals ignites employee engagement, loyalty, and high performance.

• Why stable leadership and mentorship are game-changers for long-term team success – in sports and in business alike.

Roland also draws powerful parallels between sports and the corporate world, showing that great leadership fundamentals are universal. He illustrates how the best leaders put people first, foster an inclusive, engaged, and resilient workplace culture, and adapt to change with confidence. This conversation will inspire HR directors, C-suite executives, and frontline managers to rethink their leadership playbook and step up their game.

🔊 Tune in now and let Roland’s story ignite your own leadership journey. If you enjoy the episode, please subscribe, leave a review, follow us on LinkedIn, and visit https://stepituphr.com/corey-osityunleashed to continue the conversation and access exclusive resources!

Keywords

#Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeEngagement #Empowerment #Coaching #Resilience

Are you an HR leader or executive who believes in leading with heart and purpose – yet feel the weight of quarterly targets pressing down? You’re not alone. In this moving episode, Dr. John Blakey (author of Force for Good) shares how leaders can achieve outstanding results without betraying their values. Through candid stories and expert guidance, John inspires you to bridge the gap between profit and purpose, so you never have to choose one over the other.

Imagine a workplace where setbacks are seen as learning moments rather than failures. John’s approach shows how every challenge can spark growth. He advocates building a coaching culture where managers become mentors and every conversation fuels development and trust. By embracing intrinsic values and a mindset of continuous learning, you’ll discover how to transform employee engagement and loyalty in tangible ways.

Drawing on decades of executive coaching and speaking, Dr. Blakey shares signature insights from Force for Good. Learn how purpose-driven leaders thrive by aligning personal conviction with business strategy – delivering the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. John’s passion shines through stories like “Project Daffodil,” illustrating how hope and resilience can flourish even in crisis. He’ll challenge you to move from a life of success to a life of significance, leading with authenticity and courage.

John also introduces three types of purpose-driven leaders – the Zealot, the Martyr, and the Pied Piper – helping you identify your own leadership style and its potential pitfalls on the journey to being a force for good.

This episode will touch your heart and recharge your leadership journey. It’s a must-listen for anyone striving to be a people-first leader in today’s evolving workplace. Subscribe to Corey-osity Unleashed and never miss an episode. If our conversation inspires you, please leave a review – your feedback helps others find the show. Continue the dialogue: connect with us (and Dr. Blakey) on LinkedIn, and visit https://stepituphr.com/corey-osityunleashed for more insights and resources.

Keywords

#PurposeDrivenLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeEngagement #CoachingCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #PeopleFirst